How Does Uber Compare to a Town Car & Limo Service in Seattle?

You may have heard of Uber before, and might have even used them in the past as an alternative to riding in a taxi. But how does Uber’s service stack up against a professional limo service company like Starline? In other words, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each method of transportation, and when should you choose one over the other?

To answer these questions, let’s first take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with Uber.

The Pros & Cons of Using Uber

If you’re hopping around between different restaurants and clubs during a night out in downtown Seattle, Uber might be a good choice. This is because Town Car companies will generally charge a $50 minimum for a service call, whereas Uber only charges a $12 minimum for their Black service (basic vehicles come with a $4 minimum fare). This means that if you’re going from one place to another without a set schedule, Uber might provide you with a less expensive option.

On the other hand, for longer scheduled trips (to SeaTac, for example), it’s often less expensive to hire a Town Car company, since you’ll be charged on a per-mile basis with Uber, much like a taxi. With Starline however, you’ll just have one flat fee based on your destination.

Understand What You’re Getting In to With Uber

In addition, when it comes to using Uber, you may not know what you’re getting in to (no pun intended), as there are few requirements for becoming an Uber driver. According to a Daily Beast article from earlier this year, “Uber's function is to arrangefor customers to be taken in private vehicles from point A to point B. Uber is not a car company, but a technology company. They do not own vehicles, but software. Thus, they operate in a gray area where they claim they should not be subject to the same regulations as traditional private transportation services.”

With this said, we’ve read about numerous instances where Uber drivers completely failed to show up after someone scheduled a vehicle. Can you imagine the position this would put you in if you had a flight at SeaTac to catch, and were forced to find an alternate method of transportation at the very last minute?

If You Want Professional Service – Town Car & Limo Service is a Better Choice

Although the first time you use Starline’s town car service we’ll be a stranger (much like Uber), we’re sure you’ll be so impressed that you’ll continue using us again and again. And perhaps best of all, you’ll get a professional driver, who will always arrive with a smile on their face and will be ready to serve you.

On top of this, town cars and limousines in Seattle are subject to strict licensing requirements, meaning that there’s a central governing body you can turn to in the event of a poor experience. And although the Uber website claims that all drivers undergo a three-step background check (county, state, and federal), they aren’t subject to anywhere near the oversight that town car and limo companies are.

Starline Town Car & Limousine’s Pricing & Convenience

Admittedly, while most users seem to have been very pleased with Uber in the beginning, if you Google “Uber reviews” today, you’ll read that there has been recent decline in the quality of drivers (and their vehicles), despite a recent increase in pricing (known as surge pricing). In fact, some users have even complained that rates can be up to 5X higher during peak hours, which could turn a $10 ride previously in the day to a $50 ride later in the evening.

When it comes to town car services from Starline, you’ll always know what your rate will be far in advance, which will never drastically increase at different times of the day.

And sure, while the Uber app could be considered convenient, which includes the ability to schedule your ride and pay for it, Starline’s Express Online Reservation can make the process just as simple, straightforward, and hassle-free.